E
Erica Silverstein
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A little word to the wise.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/TAL-kids-on-a-boat-KIDSCRUISE1026-16143c8e716840daa9efc084a8cc4026.jpg "Two young girls on a boat.Credit: MNStudio/Adobe Stock")
Two young girls on a boat.
Credit: MNStudio/Adobe Stock
The key to a successful cruise vacation with kids starts long before you ever set foot on a ship.
I’ve cruised with my kids since they were babies (a mistake … wait until they’re potty trained) and have seen firsthand how tricky—and rewarding—traveling with my family can be. I’ve also advised many friends on planning cruises with their kids of all ages. So it was no surprise that when I asked four family travel experts about their top tips for traveling with kids on a cruise, they all gave me versions of the same advice I often give to friends and readers.
That is to say: The ship, cabin, and activities you pick will make or break your vacation, so it’s important to do your research before you book to ensure a successful trip with kids.
“My number one tip for cruising with kids is [to] choose the ship that’s the best fit for your family,” says Jamie Margolis Ross, agency owner of Moms at Sea. “Parents can get so caught up in finding the biggest ship, the newest waterslides, or the most activities that they forget to think about how their family actually likes to vacation.”
A cruise ship might have an enormous kids club, but if your six-year-old will not go alone into a new place, you’ll want to prioritize a ship with lots of family-friendly activities, like mini-golf or scavenger hunts, or spaces where your clan can play games together. If your family loves the pool, you might prefer a smaller ship where the pools aren’t quite as overcrowded. If your kids can’t last more than 30 minutes at dinner, you’ll need affordable room service and lots of quick-service restaurants. If you’re traveling with a baby or toddler, a ship with a nursery and a water-play area that welcomes swim diapers can be the key to a better vacation for everyone.
But the rule of finding the right ship doesn’t just apply to your kids. “It is important to plan the parents’ vacation experience just as intentionally as we do the children’s. Choose a cruise that supports both family time and opportunities to enjoy together because parents should get a vacation, too,” says Christy Slavik, owner of Mom Approved Travel.
Instead of researching whether the ship’s kids club has the latest video games or a science lab, families should consider details such as open hours, age groups (will your children be together or separated), and cost and reservation details for nurseries. If you plan on relying on youth programming so you can have a date-night meal in a specialty restaurant or together time in the adults-only solarium, you’ll need it to be available at the right time and be sure your kids will go.
Parents don’t need to make these decisions alone. Once your kids are old enough to have opinions (so … preschool?), involve them in the planning process.
“This collaboration builds excitement, surfaces important information about your family’s vacation goals, wishes, and expectations, and helps cement the buy-in process,” says Nancy Schretter, founder of the Family Travel Network.
Two young books on a dock overlooking a large cruise ship.
Credit: Dylan/Adobe Stock
She references the Family Travel Association’s 2025 survey, which found that 84 percent of parents surveyed said involving kids in travel planning “makes their children more adaptable and open to new experiences,” while 61 percent said that it “positively impacts their child’s happiness and engagement during the trip.”
If you’re comparing ships or itineraries, ask your kids which options excite them more. When they have the chance to pick shore excursions or choose between the ship with the ropes course or the one with the rock-climbing wall, they will be more invested in the trip when it comes time to set sail.
Choosing the right cabin is also crucial to the success of a cruise with kids.
“Look beyond the cabin’s maximum occupancy and think about where everyone will sleep, how the space realistically functions when beds are made up, and whether the family will have a comfortable place to relax. One shared sleeping area, connecting staterooms, or a multi-bedroom suite offers very different experiences,” says Slavik.
A family with shower-hogging teens might do better with two connecting cabins, with double the bathrooms and more privacy, than a fancier suite if it only has one bathroom and a pullout sofa. If you have nappers or little kids who go to bed early, Barbara Libbin, a travel advisor with Pinks & Greens Travel Co., strongly recommends booking a room with a balcony. It gives parents a place to hang out, chat, and enjoy a drink or snack, while staying close to sleeping kids.
“Don’t let your vacation end at your kids’ bedtime!” she encourages.
Lastly, keep the realities of your family’s vacation style in mind when you choose an itinerary. My kids do better with a morning activity followed by relaxing onboard time than with all-day tours, no matter how fun. They have actually said no to chocolate crepes in France in order to return to a riverboat with a tiny pool because they were done being out and about.
Think about whether you can access activities close to port or need a bus or taxi ride, and whether you’ll have to pack car seats. Will you go nuts with a one-year-old during three days at sea, or do you have energetic kids who need all the water sports, bike rides, and hikes in order to fall asleep at night?
Once you’ve lined up the right cabin on the right ship on the right itinerary, you’ve set your family up for success cruising with kids. Everything else will fall into place once you’re on board.
Two young girls on a boat.
Credit: MNStudio/Adobe Stock
Key Points
- Choosing the right ship, cabin, and itinerary for your family’s needs is the most important step toward a successful cruise with kids.
- Parents should consider kids club policies, dining options, sleeping arrangements, and opportunities for both family time and adult relaxation.
- Involving children in vacation planning can boost their excitement and engagement, while choosing age-appropriate activities helps prevent exhaustion.
The key to a successful cruise vacation with kids starts long before you ever set foot on a ship.
I’ve cruised with my kids since they were babies (a mistake … wait until they’re potty trained) and have seen firsthand how tricky—and rewarding—traveling with my family can be. I’ve also advised many friends on planning cruises with their kids of all ages. So it was no surprise that when I asked four family travel experts about their top tips for traveling with kids on a cruise, they all gave me versions of the same advice I often give to friends and readers.
That is to say: The ship, cabin, and activities you pick will make or break your vacation, so it’s important to do your research before you book to ensure a successful trip with kids.
“My number one tip for cruising with kids is [to] choose the ship that’s the best fit for your family,” says Jamie Margolis Ross, agency owner of Moms at Sea. “Parents can get so caught up in finding the biggest ship, the newest waterslides, or the most activities that they forget to think about how their family actually likes to vacation.”
A cruise ship might have an enormous kids club, but if your six-year-old will not go alone into a new place, you’ll want to prioritize a ship with lots of family-friendly activities, like mini-golf or scavenger hunts, or spaces where your clan can play games together. If your family loves the pool, you might prefer a smaller ship where the pools aren’t quite as overcrowded. If your kids can’t last more than 30 minutes at dinner, you’ll need affordable room service and lots of quick-service restaurants. If you’re traveling with a baby or toddler, a ship with a nursery and a water-play area that welcomes swim diapers can be the key to a better vacation for everyone.
But the rule of finding the right ship doesn’t just apply to your kids. “It is important to plan the parents’ vacation experience just as intentionally as we do the children’s. Choose a cruise that supports both family time and opportunities to enjoy together because parents should get a vacation, too,” says Christy Slavik, owner of Mom Approved Travel.
Instead of researching whether the ship’s kids club has the latest video games or a science lab, families should consider details such as open hours, age groups (will your children be together or separated), and cost and reservation details for nurseries. If you plan on relying on youth programming so you can have a date-night meal in a specialty restaurant or together time in the adults-only solarium, you’ll need it to be available at the right time and be sure your kids will go.
Parents don’t need to make these decisions alone. Once your kids are old enough to have opinions (so … preschool?), involve them in the planning process.
“This collaboration builds excitement, surfaces important information about your family’s vacation goals, wishes, and expectations, and helps cement the buy-in process,” says Nancy Schretter, founder of the Family Travel Network.
Two young books on a dock overlooking a large cruise ship.
Credit: Dylan/Adobe Stock
She references the Family Travel Association’s 2025 survey, which found that 84 percent of parents surveyed said involving kids in travel planning “makes their children more adaptable and open to new experiences,” while 61 percent said that it “positively impacts their child’s happiness and engagement during the trip.”
If you’re comparing ships or itineraries, ask your kids which options excite them more. When they have the chance to pick shore excursions or choose between the ship with the ropes course or the one with the rock-climbing wall, they will be more invested in the trip when it comes time to set sail.
Choosing the right cabin is also crucial to the success of a cruise with kids.
“Look beyond the cabin’s maximum occupancy and think about where everyone will sleep, how the space realistically functions when beds are made up, and whether the family will have a comfortable place to relax. One shared sleeping area, connecting staterooms, or a multi-bedroom suite offers very different experiences,” says Slavik.
A family with shower-hogging teens might do better with two connecting cabins, with double the bathrooms and more privacy, than a fancier suite if it only has one bathroom and a pullout sofa. If you have nappers or little kids who go to bed early, Barbara Libbin, a travel advisor with Pinks & Greens Travel Co., strongly recommends booking a room with a balcony. It gives parents a place to hang out, chat, and enjoy a drink or snack, while staying close to sleeping kids.
“Don’t let your vacation end at your kids’ bedtime!” she encourages.
Lastly, keep the realities of your family’s vacation style in mind when you choose an itinerary. My kids do better with a morning activity followed by relaxing onboard time than with all-day tours, no matter how fun. They have actually said no to chocolate crepes in France in order to return to a riverboat with a tiny pool because they were done being out and about.
Think about whether you can access activities close to port or need a bus or taxi ride, and whether you’ll have to pack car seats. Will you go nuts with a one-year-old during three days at sea, or do you have energetic kids who need all the water sports, bike rides, and hikes in order to fall asleep at night?
Once you’ve lined up the right cabin on the right ship on the right itinerary, you’ve set your family up for success cruising with kids. Everything else will fall into place once you’re on board.